Arthur Rinderknech’s health scare sparks heated debate in Cincinnati: “One player’s going to die, then they’ll see”

Arthur Rinderknech delivered the day’s biggest shock at the Cincinnati Masters. The French player, ranked No. 70 in the ATP standings, collapsed from heat exhaustion during the third round clash with Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime and was forced to retire just two games later.

The match had been progressing normally, but conditions were brutal for elite tennis, with temperatures hovering around 90°F with roughly 50% humidity. Auger-Aliassime claimed the first set in a tiebreak, until the frightening incident unfolded in the second.

Rinderknech collapses, attempts to continue

After leveling the score at 2-2 on his serve, Rinderknech retreated to the back of his side of the court and suddenly collapsed to the ground, covering his face with a towel. Clearly dizzy and disoriented, he lay still for several seconds, eyes closed, and breathing heavily, signs that immediately raised alarm.

The chair umpire, Auger-Aliassime, and medical staff rushed over with water, towels, and ice packs. Moments later, Rinderknech managed to stand, visibly shaken, apologizing to his opponent before attempting to continue.

Auger-Aliassime held serve, but during the next changeover, Rinderknech received further medical attention. By the time the score reached 2-3, it was painfully clear he wasn’t fit to continue. On his next serve, he tossed the ball up but couldn’t hit it, immediately looking down and losing his balance. After losing the break, down a set and trailing 2-4, he made the difficult call to retire.

Heat-related scares reopen Cincinnati debate

This incident has reignited questions about scheduling matches in Cincinnati during the hottest part of the summer day.

Heat-related struggles are nothing new here. Just yesterday, Daniil Medvedev suffered similarly in defeat to Adam Walton. The Russian was seen plunging his head into a cooler on the sidelines, stripping off his shirt, layering cold towels over himself, and aiming a portable fan at his face as he closed his eyes in distress after dropping the second set.

Medvedev was actually the first to publicly call out these brutal conditions during the 2023 U.S. Open quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev. “One player’s going to die, then they’ll see” he warned, dabbing sweat from his brow with a towel. Today, his words ring louder than ever, and with good reason.

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